Articles: pain.
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Zh Vyssh Nerv Deyat+ · Sep 1979
[Dynamics of rabbit visual cortex neuron reactions to repetitive nonvisual stimuli and their complexes with light].
The experiments revealed two forms of dynamics of responses to sounds and electro-cutaneous stimulation of the rabbit's leg and their complexes with light--rapid and slow ones. Assumptions are made on different mechanisms of these forms of dynamics. 37% of all studied cells showed different direction of the discharge dynamics in responses to the sound and electro-cutaneous stimulation or the discharge dynamics only in response to one type of stimulation. This may suggest a modal specificity of responses to different non-visual stimuli.
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1. The responses of primate spinothalamic tract cells innervating the glabrous skin of the foot to noxious thermal stimuli have been examined. 2. Of the 41 cells studied, 98% responded to noxious thermal stimuli. ⋯ However, the exponent of the power function relating the average peak frequency for the six cells to changes in skin temperature was 3.9. This exponent was larger than that seen when two series of graded heat stimuli of 120 s duration were used, indicating more sensitization despite the fact the total time of exposure to noxious heat was less. 7. A role for both high-threshold and wide dynamic range spinothalamic cells in transmitting nociceptive information to the diencephalon is postulated.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Sep 1979
Chronic pain states: their relationship to impairment and disability.
Chronic pain patients (101) were assigned ratings of impairment and disability and were assessed for organic pathology and pain behavior through comprehensive testing procedures. As predicted, higher ratings of impairment and disability were significantly associated with higher levels of both physical pathology and pain behaviors. ⋯ Many patients showed higher disability than impairment ratings, which suggests the possibility of gainful employment in less demanding jobs. However, the current disability system rewards sickness and dysfunction and discourages patients from resuming work.
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Swiss medical weekly · Aug 1979
[Experiences with an oral cocaine-morphine solution (Brompton mixture) in the treatment of severe pain in patients with neoplasms].
One year's experience is reported in the treatment of terminally ill cancer patients with an oral solution of morphine and cocaine on a fixed schedule. 36 consecutive patients were treated for an average of 51 days. Excellent or good pain relief was achieved with 26 patients (72%). The initial mean daily dose of morphine was 35 mg. ⋯ Side effects were not uncommon but were without clinical consequences in most patients. Side effects caused discontinuation of treatment in only 2 patients. Terminally ill cancer patients often derive great benefit from this treatment.